Meeting Abstracts: Select & Consult

Abstract of Rubber in Transport - Non automotive 2014

Applications in Transport Engineering: a historical perspective

Alan H Muhr, TARRC

The idea of laminating rubber and steel to form elastic joints or bearings arose soon after the discovery of vulcanisation. Its first application was for railway vehicles, and continues to the present day. The lamination of materials with such different properties enables the designer to achieve a wide range of controlled stiffness aniosotropy, The lecture will explore diverse applications, from bridges to rockets, along with enough technical background to show why the approach is an attractive alternative to metallic bearings and springs.